مجموعة ٣٠/١١٤ "تقارير إجراءات السُفُن البريطانية." [و‎‎٥‎١‎٢] (١٢٠٣/١٠٢٣)

In addition the Oovemm nt has ordered the refund
of about 3000 Rials on the tax collected last year.
2Qth
soon after daylight we weighed and proceeded to
anchor close in to Debai*
The interpreter wee landed to tell the Shciich we
had coae to pick up four R.A.v. officers who were arriving
by flying boat to do a reconnaissance at Abu Ohubi.
The Sheikh and I exchanged visits. He appeared
quite pleased to see us and regretted we were not staying
longer.
He asked m where the Sultan of Muscat was, and I
told him that His Highness had returned to Muscat from India.
Pearl fishing had already started in a small way
within a couple of miles of Debai, though tue main xleet will
not be comioncing operations until next eonth.
There have been a few petty robberies by Bedouins,
the Sheikh said, but otherwise everything was quiet on the
Coast.
On conclusion of my visit to the Sheikh I was going
to return to the ship by akiff, as the motor boat and other
ait iff were waiting inside the Khor for the flying boat to
arrive. But the incoming tide was running very fast, and
the Skeihh very kindly lent me his motor launch to come off in,
with the skiff in tow.
The flying boat arrived on time at 1116, and four
officers were brought off, Squadron header Hope from A.-U. 1 *.
Hinaidi, Squadron header Fogarty from Ho,34 Squadron Shaibah,
Plight Lieutenant Coates from lAargll* and Lieutenant Tutton,
R.K, from Largil.
We sailed as soon as these officers embarked, and
with 2 boilers arrived at Abu Dhabi before dark.
The interpreter landed on arrival and informed
the 3helkh that we had brought some k.A. b Officers to see
him, and that I should be very glad to see the helkh the
following morning.
THURSDAY* 31.t -*..AbU,
The Sheikh was to hove come off at 0320, but at
the last moment was taken ill and his brother came instead.
In accordance with plane made beforehand with the
8.A.F. Officers, no mention of the reason for our visit was
made at this stage, and only current topics were discussed.
The Sheikh’s brother was at gx*eat pains to express
the Sheikh’a regret at his sudden inability to come off,
(having got as far as the boat before being taken ill). In
view of this, of the fact that I was going to faeet the Gheich
himself ashore, aid of the desirability of ensuring a
successful reception of the proposals the k.A.F. Officers
were about to make to the Sheikh, I decided to fire the
full/